Seven Texas A&M students from Computer Science and Engineering and the Mays Business School attended the 20th Annual CERIAS Information Assurance Symposium accompanied by Center faculty member, Dr. Paula deWitte. The two-day symposium included keynotes, fireside chats with panels of experts, and a student research reception and poster session. The event looked at the “past” — or history of CERIAS — of cybersecurity as well as the future, touching on adapting for the next 20 years.
The students feedback was excellent. Dr. Gene Spafford, Founder of CERIAS and its Director Emeritus, assigned Ph.D. Student James (Jim) Lerums to be the personal guide for the Texas A&M group. Jim arranged personal tours and introductions for the students’ specific interests. The students were impressed with the closing keynote from Josh Corman that demonstrated three simulated (i.e., taking place in real hospitals using real systems) scenarios for hacking into medical systems and causing loss of life. The students used the opportunity to interact with NSA and industry professionals as well as learning about student research.